With elections in May, the balance of opinion in Parliament is a climate policy risk factor on the minds of many in Brussels. The national draft 10-year energy plans, just in to the Commission, project widespread growth in costlier renewables. But populists who see climate as a globalist rather than nationalist-first agenda may prove hard to bring on side with an expensive and disruptive transition. The public will be influenced by climate … [Read more...]
Electric buses: China leads through policy ambition but Europe could overtake
News comes of another renewables record for China. Shenzhen based manufacturer BYD has launched the world’s largest pure electric double decker bus fleet, to be delivered to the city of Xi’an. To illustrate China’s drive to dominate this market, they have already won the international tender to deliver 37 of a total of 68 new electric double decker buses to London, where the red double decker is an icon. That’s more than the remaining 31 that … [Read more...]
UK nuclear plans are in tatters. But current incentives help gas, not wind and solar, step into the gap
The scrapping of plans for a new nuclear power station in Cumbria and the suspension of work on another in Anglesey have put the brakes on the UK’s nuclear future. But the government appears more keen to fill the gap with gas rather than renewables. David Toke of Aderdeen University criticises the current incentives and regulations and makes the case for wind and solar. … [Read more...]
Britain has shifted 30% of its electricity away from fossil fuels in just nine years
Britain’s extraordinary energy transition is in part down to increased energy efficiency: put simply, less electricity was needed, whatever the source. But coal is still essential during spikes in demand. Given coal generation is due to be phased out by 2025, the country will need to find alternative power sources to cope during extreme weather events. And that overall decline in electricity demand is sure to be reversed as more vehicles and … [Read more...]
Time to re-think Britain’s capacity market
Answering the call for opinions for the UK capacity market review, Gerard Wynn of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) says its time for a rethink. Since its introduction to ensure energy security, 75% of payments have gone to existing coal, gas and nuclear plants, and only 10% to modern assets. By continuing with market reforms and building interconnections with Europe, the UK can have an efficient, market-led … [Read more...]
Brexit: What it means for UK-EU energy trade
The UK says it wants to keep or even expand its close ties with the European Union energy market after Brexit, but it might not get what it wants if the country leaves the EU with no deal in 2019. Gas and electricity will continue to be traded between the two, but the risks of shortages and higher costs for the UK and Ireland will grow and increase over time, explains Sara Stefanini of Climate Home News. … [Read more...]
UK homes need ‘deep efficiency retrofit’ to meet climate goals
The British government’s policy of incrementally upgrading energy efficiency in UK homes is not enough to meet the country’s 2050 climate targets. Instead, virtually every UK house needs a one-off retrofit, says a new report. It calls for government and cities to commit to pilot schemes for retrofitting whole houses using models such as the Dutch “Energiesprong”, which achieves a near net-zero energy home, typically by adding external insulation … [Read more...]
Post-Brexit carbon tax would set Scotland against UK
The UK is weighing up future carbon pricing options in a post-EU world, but Scotland will not abide a London plan for a national tax because that would impinge on devolved powers. Resolving the issue will not be easy, particularly in the event of a no-deal Brexit, writes Sara Stefanini, Climate Home News. Courtesy of Climate Home News. … [Read more...]
Poorest households hit hardest by UK climate change levy despite using least energy
A levy added to UK household energy bills to help the country meet its climate targets hits the poorest households hardest, write John Barrett and Anne Owen of the University of Leeds. Climate policies should be compatible with social justice, the authors say, adding their research demonstrates it is possible to design a system that is both fair and effective. Article courtesy The Conversation. … [Read more...]
UK capacity market “will boost baseload not balancing power”
The upcoming UK capacity market is supposed to support the integration of renewables into the grid. But will it do that or will it primarily serve to bring new baseload capacity online? UK Power Reserve, an independent developer and operator of small, flexible generators, wonders whether the UK’s plans will squeeze existing providers of flexible capacity or stimulate investment. CEO Tim Emrich tells Energy Post how he has been making money by … [Read more...]
Brussels sets dangerous precedent by clearing UK capacity market
The European Commission has given the green light to a proposed UK capacity market that aims to ensure enough electricity is available to cover consumption at peak times. This is the Commission’s first assessment of a capacity market under new EU guidelines on energy and environment state aid that entered force on 1 July. The Commission says the aid is justified because it will contribute to the UK’s security of supply “without distorting … [Read more...]
Leaked doc: David Cameron’s plans to make the EU fit UK energy policy
After Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, it’s David Cameron’s turn to seize the moment and promote a vision for EU energy security that neatly fits the UK’s own energy objectives. In a leaked “non-paper” seen by Energy Post the UK Prime Minister sets out what he wants EU leaders to agree at their next summit in Brussels in June. Cameron calls for energy security to be embedded in the EU’s 2030 climate and energy package, full freedom to develop … [Read more...]
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